Belmont Abbey College

The primary mission of the Education programs at Belmont Abbey College is the preparation of teachers who are liberally educated, professionally competent, personally and socially mature, and acutely aware of the responsibilities and privileges entailed in their involvement with public and private education. Influenced by the Benedictine heritage of the College, all teacher education programs also seek to develop the student’s understanding of the nature of community and of the teacher’s role as a community builder.

A Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies may be pursued by a student interested in the study of education and/or human services in a liberal arts context. This degree would support career preparation for a field allied to the teaching profession, i.e., child care, library science, ministry, social service, human resource management, or wellness.

Educational Studies - Program of Study
Coursework and other program requirements for this major are contracted between the student and the faculty advisor. The Chair of the Department must approve program contracts. Persons seeking this degree are not eligible for licensure. To earn a degree as an Educational Studies Major a student must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework with a grade of “C” or above. Of the 36 hours, 15-18 hours of required courses are listed below:

ED 250 Human Growth and Development (3)

ED 275 Introduction to the Exceptional Child (3)

ED 302 Education and Society (3)

ED 312 Educational Psychology (3)

ED 493/494 Educational Studies Internship (3-6)

The following courses are highly suggested and encouraged:

ED 300 Technology and Learning (3)

ED 309 Educational Law (3)

ED 399 Diversity in Education (3)

ED 499 Issues and Trends in Education (3)

In addition to the 15-18 credit hours required for this major, the student must: Complete a minimum of 18-21 additional credit hours of upper-level coursework (300-400 level) in Education and/or allied disciplines with a grade of “C” or above

Complete all other college requirements, including the Core Curriculum, and earn a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or above

Complete a written, comprehensive paper relating college coursework, including the College Core Curriculum, an evaluation of the internship, and future learning/vocational goals

Belmont Abbey College requires a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students need to consult with their advisor in the selection of electives.

Approval to pursue an Educational Studies major must be obtained in writing and all contractual conditions must be met before award of degree. Such a program of study excludes student enrollment in any upper level teaching methods courses. This degree does not include licensure to teach. Contract information is available from the Department of Education. Minor in Education

For students who are not pursuing a major in education but who nonetheless have an interest in the study of education, an education minor is available. The normal sequence of courses (15 cr.), in which a student must earn a grade of “C” or better, is as follows:

Honor students in education are invited to join the Upsilon Eta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international society promoting excellence in education. Membership is open to honor students who have shown commendable personal qualities, worthy educational ideals, and sound scholarship. Involvement in KDP provides students with the opportunity to cultivate relationships with other members of the teaching profession, inspires students to strive for individual and professional growth, and encourages them to become active participants in state, regional, and national meetings.

The Curriculum Resource Center (CRC) is a resource facility (located in room 112, William Gaston Science Building) that provides a variety of education services for students and faculty. The CRC houses curriculum materials, professional literature, and instructional equipment. It supports the goals and objectives of the Department of Education, which reflect the instructional needs and practices of teachers in elementary schools. The center serves as an active learning environment for students and provides opportunities for examination, production, and evaluation of educational resources.

The Teacher Education Technology Lab (located in room 111, William Gaston Science Building) is a computing facility that serves both Belmont Abbey College education students and teachers from local public schools. Operating hours are designed to accommodate students’ schedules; weekday and evening hours are posted in the lab each semester.

The teacher education program at Belmont Abbey College is fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and its program in teacher education is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

The Sister Christine Beck Department of Education of Belmont Abbey College is in compliance with Section 207 of Title II of the Higher Education Act of the United States Department of Education. This act requires Institutions of Higher Education (IHE’s) to report to the federal and state governments as well as to the public. These reports and relevant data are available upon request from the Sister Christine Beck Department of Education Office.

Melinda Ratchford - Interim Chair and Assistant Professor of Education
B.S. Appalachian State University, M.S.L.S. University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Ed.S. Appalachian State University, Ed.D. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Dr. Ratchford worked in the North Carolina public schools for thirty-one years, retiring in July 2000. She is currently the Director of the Curriculum Resource Center, and in 2002 won the Adrian Faculty Excellence award. Her avocation has been a forty-five year interest in the study of RMS Titanic and her history, having given presentations on the topic to well over a hundred groups. She is an avid reader and a life long learner returning every ten years to get another degree; her latest was an A.A. in Paralegal Technology from Gaston College in 1999. She and her husband have traveled to forty-eight of the fifty states repeatedly and in Europe on numerous occasions.

Pam Wilson - Assistant Professor and Director of Field Experience in Education
B.S. Winthrop University, M.Ed. Winthrop University

After retiring from the public school system with thirty-three years of service, Mrs. Wilson joined the College faculty as an Assistant Professor. Her work in the public school system included twenty-nine years of classroom experience in grades K-3 and four years as an Instructional Specialist. In addition to these responsibilities, she taught part-time in the College's ADP program as well as providing training and consulting services for teachers in various school systems.

Sheila Ingle - Education Licensure Officer / Instructor
B.A. Sacred Heart College, M.A. Western Carolina University

Mrs. Ingle retired from the public schools after a career spent teaching and working as Parent Involvement Administrator for the Title I schools. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of Gaston County’s first public preschool program. After having taught in the ADP program at the Abbey for several years, she joined the Education Department faculty full time in 2004. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education at Capella University, specializing in Professional Studies in Education.

Benette Sutton - Visiting Lecturer in Education
B.A. Sacred Heart College, M.Ed. University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Mrs. Sutton worked for the Gaston County School System for over thirty years. She has been a classroom teacher, reading specialists and Title I Program Coordinator. For the last eight years, Mrs. Sutton has taught part time for the Abbey and recently implemented a tutoring program placing Belmont Abbey teacher candidates at Page Elementary to work with students needing extra instruction. Mrs. Sutton serves on the Board of Directors for the Gaston Literacy Council